GENERAL TELEGRAMS

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 262, 27 March 1911, Page 5

GENERAL TELEGRAMS

A BAD LOOK OUT. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Timaru, Last Night. Farmers in town to-ilay state that the outlook for the wiuter is discouraging owing to the long spell of dry weather. The turnip and rape crops have generally been destroyed by the blight, and pastures are eaten bare. There are no prospects of winter feed except" straw stacks and bran, while sheep are in a low condition to start with. Old settlers say the present condition of things is worse than experienced for many years. BOYS FOR FARM WORK. Timaru, Last Night. Mr. Sedgwick addressed a meeting of about thirty fanners on boy immigration for farms. He urged that fanneru should induce the Miniate*, for ■ Labor to withdraw his refusal to giV*e further svport till the first batch had been here twenty-five months. Two lads, who had been placed in South Canterbury, were giving perfect satisfaction to their employers, one of whom was present and said so. The other has made a similar report to the Farmers' Union. A shortage of good farm hands was complained of. The secretary of the local Farmers' Union had over thirty applications in the last month for men, and was able to supply only two. . FLOATING CRANK FOR AUCKLAND. Auckland, March 24. The floating crane with which the port of Auckland will shortly be supplied, is described as the best of its kind in existence. It is guaranteed to lift 80 tons dead weight, and will be tested up to a capacity of 100 tons. The crane and jib will be erected on a steel pontoon which will be propelled by twin screws. The vessel will be able to go alongside steamers moored at the wharf and take out a' heavy lift without interfering with other unloading operations.